We’ve had a lot of rain in Arizona lately, which makes it a great year for crane flies.
Crane flies look like huge mosquitoes, but they are actually fragile giants. For more information and a peek at the larvae, check this previous post.
Sometimes you just get lucky.
Last week I showed you the larva of an Arizona species of flower fly (Syrphidae). Today I found two adults feeding on desert marigold and brittlebush.
Everything is blooming right now.
It’s time to start thinking about another citizen science project: The Great Sunflower Project at www.greatsunflower.org.
The sunflower project involves growing a specific type of sunflower, Lemon Queen, and recording the types and how many bees come to visit the flowers.
This year the organizers are asking the participants to buy their own seeds because they can not fulfill the orders for the huge number of requests they received last year.
If you are interested in participating, the first step is to go to the website and register. You will find more instructions there and get future newsletters with information and updates.
The sampling protocol has been simplified a bit. This year you and your children will:
1) count the number of flowers on your plant with pollen;
2) record all bees (not just the first 5) your sunflower for 15 minutes; and
3) enter the data online.
Our family participated last year. I have to say I hadn’t had much success growing sunflowers before, but these Lemon Queen variety seeds grew beautifully.
We had quite a few bees visiting, although no honey bees.
Did you participate last year?
Let us know, we’d love to hear from you.
